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As my friends in the northern climates start to hunker down for the winter, and temperatures start to cool here as well (albeit only at night), I thought it would be good to share some local-styled “stew dishes”. Hearty and warm, they’re sure to […]

Friday, October 19th found me at the Trinidad Hilton’s Grand Ballroom, for a Dewar’s Whisky Tasting with their Global Brand Ambassador Fraser Campbell. Although I consider myself a neophyte to the world of spirits, I’m not that much in the dark that I don’t know […]

Hyatt Trinidad has added several new items to their sushi menu. Here are some of the new (and not so new) ones I tried recently! First up was drinks. I normally am a fan of the Toco Boi (Angostura 1919 rum, mint leaves, fresh coconut […]

Recent Posts

Punch de Creme, is another of Trinidad’s traditional Christmas drinks. One thing that I really like about punch de creme (as opposed to traditional eggnog) is the use of citrus flavors like lime and Angostura bitters (which has orange extract). This gives the ‘nog’ a […]

As promised, here is a recipe for Paime (pron. PAY-me)! Paime is basically a sweet version of the savoury pastelle. I only recently discovered that Paime is also a traditional Xmas dish. Well that explains why it seemed I never could find it lol! No […]

One of Trinidad’s seasonal delights, pastelles are a steamed cornmeal pie wrapped in banana leaves and filled with stewed meat, olives, and raisins. I’ve been told that they are very similar to Latin American tamales, and indeed Venezualan foodblogger Tomasnomas has a link to the […]

Well you know how Trinis like how to do everything las’ minute? 🙂 If you don’t have enough time to try my mother’s ginger beer recipe, here is a quick recipe from Epicurious.com that needs only 24 hours fermentation. Best of luck! 😀 Click here […]

My mom’s Jamaican Ginger Beer brewing in the sun 😀 The above scene and bottle feel as though they have always been with me, they occur with such comforting regularity. Ginger beer is something that is enjoyed by both Trinis and Jamaicans however in my […]

When I first made this in 2006 it was my first time using a pack of dried sorrel for a recipe. I was pleasantly surprised. If you allow it to steep overnight the results are pretty damn good. The below recipe is my […]

Christmas in Trinidad is a diverse multicultural affair. Not just for the Christian population, but also through the secular participation of the nation at large through the enjoyment of our local christmas songs (called parang) and especially the creation and consumption of our traditional […]

Like sorrel, Black Cake in Trinidad is a Christmas institution. Made predominantly of alcohol drenched prunes, currants and raisins, variations abound (and I love taste testing when we make the visiting rounds). Still, the best black cake is always the recipe that one […]

What is Parang? Well Parang is the soundtrack to Christmas here in Trinidad. More than that however Parang is also a culture, a way of life that sweeps through my island after the lights of Eid and Divali have been put away. The What […]

As my friends in the northern climates start to hunker down for the winter, and temperatures start to cool here as well (albeit only at night), I thought it would be good to share some local-styled “stew dishes”. Hearty and warm, they’re sure to […]

I recently enjoyed the soft launch of this November’s series of Latin Dinner, Dancing & Cocktails at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad. Being held each Saturday in November (yes there are 3 left!), this innovative offering is being presented in partnership with the Caribbean & […]

Hey guys! It’s so great to finally, actually be back! This year really ran away from me after taking part in (and winning) the KISS Sandwich Showdown! As has been the pattern in recent years a mix of health and personal struggles meant I had […]

Cooking for the holidays doesn’t have to be stressful! Check out these tips from six of my favourite foodie friends to learn how to do more in less time! COCKTAILS If you’re looking for a unique way to spice up your favourite drink consider […]

From the archive

This post was originally published on February 6, 2009. It has been updated once since then for submission to Mango Moods Earlier this month I asked Trinigourmet readers on Facebook and Twitter what their favourite way to enjoy mango was. The runaway winner? Mango Chow! […]

TASTY TIDBIT!

Just Add Water to Fresh Start Sorrel Concentrate!

Why spend valuable time cleaning, boiling and straining sorrel when you can just add water to Fresh Start sorrel concentrate. For that extra kick we could all use during the holidays, replace one part water with white rum for an authentic Trini cocktail everyone will enjoy!

Roasted Garlic for the Win!

Roasted garlic goes better with everything. Any time a recipe calls for garlic, I substitute roasted garlic instead. It adds a completely different dimension to every dish. Roasted garlic is slightly nutty and buttery, and it transforms every dish. When I’m roasting vegetables, I simply cut a a few heads of garlic in half, drizzle some olive oil, salt and pepper and roast in the oven on high alongside my vegetables, then store them in their peel in the fridge after they’ve cooled.
Roasted garlic can last up to two weeks in the fridge, but mine never last more than three days because I use them in everything! If I don’t have any in the fridge and need roasted garlic ASAP, I just turn the gas stove on and throw a few cloves, with the peel on, for a minute or two on the fire and then peel them and use in whatever dish I’m prepping.
Roasted garlic for the win!

Average One and a Half Servings Per Person

Make sure you have all your ingredients (measured if applicable) and tools out before you begin so you’re not running around like a headless chicken at the last minute! For bite size desserts at larger gatherings we average 1 1/2 pieces per person as some people may have two (or more!) pieces and others may not have any at all.

Kick it Up the AngostuRAY Way!

A really easy effective way to make your dinner memorable is to have a delicious cocktail punch that you can give to your guests as they are all slowly arriving, something zesty, fruity, slightly sparkling will always get the evening started with smiles. A simple cocktail punch which any one can make quickly that packs a ‘punch’ (pun there hahaha) of flavour is one I call ‘CoCo rendezvous’.
Firstly you’ll just need a large bowl (four litre bowl or larger will work) and you simply add all ingredients, some ice, a ladle and some glasses and your guests can help themselves.

Stir until all is well incorporated and mixed and ready to serve.
You’ll have fun creating this punch, and its not excruciatingly difficult to create. Now you’ve got the start to a simple way of how to make your dinner memorable. Happy Responsible Drinking everyone!

Choose a simple menu

When cooking for larger groups, choose a simple menu that's still filling. Also consider the fact that you may not have much help or time on the day of. I would suggest things that aren't too labour intensive or require a lot of ingredients.
Self serve items are best, e.g.. Multiple pastas with multiple sauces, salads, baked meats or fish, pies (macaroni etc.).
Most of those items can be prepared beforehand the night before and will easily stay fresh overnight in your fridge. And you can pop them into the oven and let the magic happen!

SPOTLIGHT

What is Parang? Well Parang is the soundtrack to Christmas here in Trinidad. More than that however Parang is also a culture, a way of life that sweeps through my island after the lights of Eid and Divali have been put away.

The What is Parang? webpage has a wonderful overview of the history and features of Trinidad Parang.

‘Parang’ is the present Trinidadian interpretation of the Spanish word, parranda . Parranda is the action of merrymaking and also refers to the group of carousers who serenade their friends throughout the year. The word parranda in general Spanish is used mainly in the expression andar de parranda, which in the modern Trinidadian vernacular is ‘to go paranging,’ akin to the Venezuelan parrandear, meaning not only merrymaking in the original sense, but also ‘liming’ or enjoying oneself, with or without music, moving from place to place with no time limit in mind. (Moodie-Kublalsingh 1994, 65-66).

Los Alumnos de San Juan Parang Group (credit unknown)

Growing up parang meant two women in particular, Daisy Voisin and Sharlene Flores. Daisy Voisin was the Grande Dame of Parang and no one will ever touch or claim her crown, I think all would agree. Her voice and passion for the music have not been matched and it really is a shame that more has not been done to document her life, her performances, and her artistic legacy. I am really glad to be in possession of one of the last CDs she made before her death in 1991. Fortunately through the magic of YouTube we never have to be without her voice or image 🙂

Unlike Daisy, Sharlene Flores was the ambassadress of a new musical hybrid ‘parang soca’. Distinguished by English lyrics and a more secular message she put a fresh young face onto the art form. I haven’t really heard her much from her since the 80’s, and those songs from my childhood still remain her most popular, becoming local standards.

In the past 2 decades the lines between carnival soca and parang soca have become increasingly blurred. The parang soca of Sharlene Flores’ day seems downright languid compared to the faster rhythms of today’s fete joints. first by melding calypso rhythms to become parang soca, and most recently by incorporating classical Indian rhythms and tonalties to form ‘chutney parang soca’. Much like our cuisine, the possibilities for musical fusion seem endless!

The current Queen of Parang Soca for the past decade or more has definitely been Marcia Miranda! This song brings to mind the roving bands of parang singers (parangderos) that used to be very popular criss-crossing the country. You’d welcome them into your home and they would sing in exchange for food and drink. Pretty similar to Christmas carollers I suppose. I haven’t seen them as much in recent years, but I know that they are still going strong in many communities around the country. Unfortunately however, as the below video demonstrates, it seems Marcia’s vistors left with a whole lot more! 😆

So far I have been focusing on the ladies of parang and you would be forgiven if you thought there were no men. The fact is that the men in recent years have not been as prominent, however for many decades the Lara Brothers ruled as Parang’s Kings (alongside Daisy’s Queen).

The men of parang today are much more likely to be found in its more lucrative hybrids. Parang soca is pretty much owned by Scrunter.